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Everyone has a neighbourhood eatery gem. That place you always feel like going to – stinking hot or pouring rain, weeknight or weekend, hot date or with a girlfriend – whatever the case, you know it will hit the spot.

After a year of having the Potts Point restaurant metropolis on my doorstep, I’ve finally decided on mine. Chester White.

When it comes to dining out, I have a few staple provisos. First and foremost, I’m a sensory nut. I want a place to visually excite me, sing to my eardrums and coddle my taste buds. Then, I like the staff to have a bit of character – no matter how good your wine pour is, I need a bit of personality to go with it. Finally, I want it to be fun. I have no trouble going fancy, but I do have a problem with stiff eateries with zero charm and through-the-roof prices.

Chester White ticks all my boxes. I love everything about this place. The buzz is electric, the food is delicious and the staff are legends. Each time I visit, Nick and Stu are accommodating and friendly and their energy is relaxed and infectious.

In a nutshell, it’s 50s retro diner meets country and blues. Think red stools in front of a white tiled bar, with cowboy boots and cured meats hanging from hooks. Throw in a splash of Italian pastaria and some simple Spanish cured meats and you’ve got this awesome little laneway eatery that oozes passion – for the produce, for the service and for the wine!

If you’re feeling social, park yourself on one of the stools and chat to the guys and girls behind the bar. If you’re in the mood for a side-of-the-street kind of meal, then cosy up on the patio which is lined with a white picket fence, a long bench and seats.

Food-wise my recommendation is you make it a shareable occasion. Start with the cured meats – there’s a great selection you can’t go past. Then do yourself a favour and try the truffle pasta. They’ll bring over the spaghetti, olive oil, parsley and pepper and serve it out of a Sardinian truffled Pecorino cheese wheel – it’s seriously one of the best things I’ve tasted. You should also try their organic lamb shoulder which is slow-cooked for six hours and plated with baby potatoes and smoked paprika. Mix this with the cauliflower, which has a parmesan crust, pickled grapes, red onion and sage butter.

Whatever the occasion, you can’t go wrong with this little spot – enjoy!

Meats $25

comes with any two meats, pickled veggies, grapes on the vine, cheese, olives & bread